Yesterday I got to see an advanced screening of the new film Adventureland in the Natural Science Auditorium at the University of Michigan. As an aside/shout out, I was lucky enough to see C there. You’re welcome. But after waiting in line for an hour in the building’s dungeon/basement, my surprising and enjoyable trip to the film’s amusement park began.
You know, I'm also surprised that this is way better than the trailer looks!
Director Greg Mottola returns after his 2007 hit Superbad to bring us Adventureland, aka Superbad 2, starring Michael Cera’s curly haired twin Jesse Eisenberg as James. It also stars that girl (Kristen Stewart) from that vampire movie which will not be named, as well as Apatow-type comedy standards like Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, and Martin Starr. Also starring is Ryan Reynolds in an interesting role that I don’t remember ever having exactly seen in a movie before.
That said, the film’s story makes it worth seeing. The trailers definitely undersell what this film is, and my advice is to not expect the film you see in the trailer. Set in 1987, this isn’t a cliched coming of age teenage romantic comedy. Halfway through during an intermission, film reels were switched and I remember telling my friend that I honestly didn’t know how the film would end. While I call this film Superbad 2 only because of the Michael Cera soundalike as its leading man, this is a more heartfelt film. It’s emotional depth easily reaches beyond the final 15 minutes of Superbad.
This film is different because all of the characters are older than teenage comedies normally allow. James just graduated from college and is a virgin (as he said regarding virginity – “Really? In this day and age?”). The other characters are home from college for the summer. This allows the characters to engage in ‘real-life’ interactions with their parents. The best part of their older age is that the film doesn’t make the viewer feel that these ‘grown-ups’ hold all the responsibility that they should as they smoke pot and drink every day during work at the park. Why do they all continute to return to work at the park every summer and delay moving on to their futures?
Everyone works at the park because they need money to continue delaying the inevitable. In a time of economic turmoil, viewers can relate to this film and its incredible relevance. James wants to go to graduate school (to avoid the real world?), but has no way to afford it as his father was demoted. Sexy disco dancer/unattainable girl Lisa P. (played by Margarita Levieva) works because her dad was injured on the job. These characters are us. They struggle just like anyone else. It’s refreshing to see characters in a Superbad-like movie who don’t have unlimited funds from Mommy and Daddy.
The relationships in the film kept me engaged and was really the catalyst for making me want to continue watching. Who would end up with who? Would anyone end up with anyone? Ultimately, we’re left wondering what will happen once the film ends. Nothing is for sure, but we know that character arcs have come full circle and that the uncertain conclusion is the most satisfying.
I have to mention Ryan Reynolds’ character, the older rock and roller mentor for James. His character takes a darker, sadder turn than I would’ve ever expected in a film like this. I think it took a lot of courage to include it, and I applaud the writers and director for including his part in the story.
I should probably also mention that, believe it or not, this is a comedy. The laughs come hard and often, but ultimately when you walk out of the theater this film won’t be forced out of your mind like any other brainless comedies. I’ve written about what affected me the most, and the themes, characters, and writing are what I’ll remember most.
The film is also beautifully shot. Set during all times of the day, the carnival’s bright lights jump off the screen during the nighttime, and the hazy gray of a Pennsylvania summer dawn absorbs you.
The music is also a character in itself. One gag involves the carnival workers’ hatred for the constantly playing ‘Rock Me Amadeus’ by Falco. The film was also interesting as a musical period piece. The 80s were a time of musical transition, and no one remembers that there were still ‘discos’ leftover from the 70s where groovy beats still rolled. However, these characters are much like the disco they hang out in – they’re in between two different worlds, stuck awkwardly in a time of transition and unsure of what the future will hold.
Adventureland is not the film you’ll be expecting if you expect a movie like Superbad or any other teenage film that’s come out in the last few years. These characters and their problems are real, and you are truly included in their struggles and moral misgivings. This is one of the deepest comedies I’ve seen in awhile, and I completely recommend it.
(out of 4)
**If you read this, please pleeease comment. Let me know what you think , or at least that you read it. Am I getting too pretentious with my analysis? Is there not enough wit in here to make it interesting? I’m not begging you to comment, but I am close.. Don’t make me.
1 Comment
March 31, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Hey Max,
Thanks for the review. I’ll admit, I was certainly suspect of the movie after seeing the trailer, but you’ve certainly made a case for seeing it. I’m glad that it doesn’t follow the same usual coming-of-age arcs, and your comments about the Ryan Reynolds character definitely suggest this isn’t the movie the trailer’s presented.